Microsoft has unveiled an important integration by introducing the widely-used programming language Python into Excel, offering users the capability to analyse data within Excel utilizing Python libraries and plots.
Read: Samsung is selling more foldables in Europe than they sold defunct Galaxy Note
Currently, the company is initiating a public preview exclusively accessible to users enrolled in the Microsoft 365 Insiders program’s beta channel. The intention is to extend this functionality to other platforms “in the near future.”
Stefan Kinnestrand, Microsoft’s General Manager of Modern Work, expressed enthusiasm about this development, stating, “Today, we are thrilled to present the Public Preview of Python in Excel — enabling the seamless fusion of Python and Excel analytics right within the Excel grid, ensuring a continuous workflow.” He further highlighted the potential benefits: “You can manipulate and explore data in Excel using Python plots and libraries, and then utilize Excel’s formulas, charts, and PivotTables to further refine your insights.”
Kinnestrand emphasized that the advanced data analysis tools of Python will be directly accessible from the Excel ribbon.
Notably, the integration of Python into Excel will not necessitate additional software or supplementary add-ons. Instead, it will be integrated into Excel’s built-in connectors and Power Query. Fundamentally, Python calculations will be executed in the Microsoft Cloud, with the outcomes seamlessly incorporated into an Excel spreadsheet.
This newfound synergy empowers users to harness the data for various purposes, such as generating formulas, pivot tables, charts, and visualizations like heatmaps, violin plots, and swarm plots. Achieving this involves incorporating charting libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn.
During the preview phase, access to Python in Excel will be included within Microsoft 365 subscriptions. However, after the preview period concludes, certain functionalities will be limited unless users possess a valid paid license. Microsoft has promised to provide further details prior to the official General Availability release.
